Throw Down Your Heart
Thursday, July 02 2009
by Frank Stasio and Lindsay Thomas
On a recent trip to Africa, banjo virtuoso Béla Fleck rediscovered his instrument on its continent of origin. Uncovering the banjo's native roots also led him to some of Africa's most talented contemporary musicians. Fleck's new CD, "Throw Down Your Heart," features his banjo alongside artists from Uganda, Tanzania, Mali and Gambia. A documentary film of the same name has also been released and Fleck recently toured with some of the musicians he met on his journey. Fleck and South African guitarist Vusi Mahlasela talk to host Frank Stasio about the cultural history of the banjo and the welcome challenge of connecting American string music with African soul. This program originally aired on April 7, 2009.
Listen here: http://wunc.org/tsot/archive/sot0407ab09.mp3
